Cardinals release S Curtis Riley, elevate RB Jonathan Ward to active roster
Oct 6, 2020, 1:50 PM
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 17: Running back Jonathan Ward #38 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football during a NFL team training camp at University of State Farm Stadium on August 17, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona Cardinals released safety Curtis Riley on Tuesday, two days after he made his first start for the team.
Additionally, the team has elevated running back Jonathan Ward from the practice squad to the active roster permanently.
Riley signed with the Cardinals on Sept. 17 after they placed starting safety Jalen Thompson on the injured reserve.
In two games with Arizona, Riley recorded eight tackles, six of which came in his only start Sunday in the Week 4 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Riley went undrafted out of Fresno State in 2015. Before joining the Cardinals, Riley played in 43 games over three seasons for the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and the then-Oakland Raiders.
Ward has now been elevated twice by the team. He was brought up from the practice squad against both the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.
The Cardinals are able to promote up to two players to the active roster from the practice squad each week, per NFL rules. The players brought up can be sent back down without going through waivers no more than twice.
An undrafted rookie out of Central Michigan, Ward had almost 3,500 yards from scrimmage over his four seasons in college.
Ward will wear No. 38.
